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“I’m sure she told you the royal family can’t be seen as political.”
“Yes. But she used me. And I’m the one who ended up on the front page of the newspapers looking like a raving lunatic.”
She was aware that complaining about being used for press coverage was hypocritical, but Dani’s actions weren’t hurting anyone while this sudden negative attack could harm her brand and decrease the likelihood of signing the contract with Genesis. In spite of that, Dani sensed Catherine could be an ally. Which was crazy considering the position Dani was now in. Maybe she was giving Catherine the benefit of the doubt because she was the only royal, other than Jameson, who appeared to care what had happened to those poor little Black and brown kids.
“Louisa, I know Jameson and I have just started dating but, say we got married...” Something fluttered in her stomach and Dani didn’t know if it was excitement at the notion of Jameson being her husband or nervousness about Louisa’s answer. “Would those rules on speaking out politically apply to me?”
“Yes.”
So, if Dani saw something, she couldn’t say something?
They really expected the woman who’d found success speaking her mind in lyrical form to remain quiet?
“Louisa, set her up for etiquette and comportment lessons and a meeting with the Press Office. We’ll need to begin incorporating her into Jameson’s schedule. And we’ll need to figure out how to deal with her music and videos. We can’t have that sort of image associated with the prince’s girlfriend... You’ll act accordingly until you’re no longer needed.”
The queen’s decree, when she’d thought Dani would play ball, immediately after she and Jameson had been outed as a couple.
“The same protocols that govern the rest of the royal family—how they dress, how they act, what they do—would be expected of me?”
Louisa’s face was blank. “Yes.”
Dani fell back, stunned. And, simultaneously, annoyed by her disbelief. Had she wrestled control of her life away from Cash only to turn it over to the British royal family? As much as she loved Jameson, was she willing to do that?
“And since you brought up protocols about dress,” Louisa said, her features softening, “I got a call from the palace.”
Oh, joy.
Louisa cleared her throat. “They want to know what you’re going to wear today.”
“Not sure.” She bristled, doing her best to remember Louisa was only the messenger. “Was there a problem with what I’vebeenwearing?”
“Her Majesty has found your attire more celebrity-forward instead of royal.”
Dani crossed her arms over her chest. “She told you that?”
“Oh no. I got a call from Edgar, her personal secretary. Since I no longer work for the palace, I don’t have the same access I once did.”
“To think: taking a job with me is considered a demotion.”
“Not to me. Both Bernard and I are much happier now,” Louisa said, referring to her husband, who was the stable master at Primrose Park. “But if you ever repeat it outside of this room...”
“Don’t worry, it’ll be our secret.” Dani inhaled. “Celebrity-forward, huh? That tracks because I am a celebrity.”
“Yes, but they assert you’re representing the royal family now and they’ve requested you wear something more toned down.”
Dani clenched her jaw so hard she could’ve produced a diamond from a lump of coal. “Didn’t you, Tasha, and I go over the dress code for women?”
Louisa and Tasha made quite the dynamic duo, with Louisa taking care of things on this side of the pond and Tasha handling things back in America. Louisa had given them both a rundown on the regatta and the clothing requirements. It was a traditional sport, and until a few years ago, women could only wear blazers with dresses that hit just below the knee. While hats weren’t a requirement, they were customary.
“We did. And I informed Edgar of that.”
“Let me guess. That wasn’t enough?”
“No.”
Dani pursed her lips. “Just say it.”
“According to Edgar... even within the guidelines, there’s room for... poor taste.”
